Shaped by Faith webinar learning opportunities are available through The Stevenson School for Ministry. Participants can learn online and/or face-to-face in small groups. Five-week e–learning opportunities are available at no cost through our Diocesan voucher system.
As part of the Shaped By Faith program, individuals and/or parishes may have tuition covered for Shaped By Faith courses. Approximately $5,000 worth of vouchers are available each term and are offered on a first come, first serve basis. When registering for a course(s), please check the box: I/We would like to use a Shaped By Faith voucher for this course. You will also need to check the appropriate box if you are taking the course as an individual or as a parish (2 or more individuals belonging to the same parish). If you have any questions, please contact clinder@diocesecpa.org.
Winter 2019-2020 Session B (January 9 – February 22, 2020)
FACULTY: Mark Scheneman
COST: $75.00 per person or $150 for a parish group of 2 or more. No cost if using Diocese of Central PA Shaped by Faith voucher.
DATES: January 9 – February 22, 2020, Thursdays at 7:00 PM
This five-week course addresses the organizing and planning challenges common to leadership and management in the life of a congregation. Study financial literacy, including budgeting, transparency, financial statements and short-term planning models. Learn how to organize through human resources, organizational structure and behavior, and advisory board utilization. Each class will feature a one-hour online weekly class zoom session that includes time to ask your administration questions.
FACULTY: Rev. Kate Harrigan
COST: $75.00 per person or $150 for a parish group of 2 or more
DATES: Sundays at 6:00 PM
This five-week course module centers on Presiding Bishop Michael Curry calling us to join the Jesus Movement in a loving, liberating and life-giving Way. It is designed to address the ways in which we understand our call to participate in God’s mission in the world and how that call may be implemented in lay ministry or in ordained ministry.
FACULTY: Rev. Kate Harrigan
COST: $75.00 per person or $150 for a parish group of 2 or more
DATES: Sundays at 7:00 PM
Transforming Life and Faith in the Smaller Parish is designed for lay leadership, such as vestries, ministry leadership and clergy who are serving or will serve the smaller parish. The focus is on Pastoral Care and Parish Life and ways to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ. This includes how the congregation provides means of connection and communication, how the successful smaller church vestry is organized and operates faithfully, and how lay ministry is formed, encouraged and strengthened.
FACULTY:Pastor Rob Blezard
COST: $75.00 per person or $150 for a parish group of 2 or more
DATES: Thursdays at 6:00 PM
Why should talking about money be a red-line taboo in our congregations when Jesus and the Old Testament’s writers repeatedly (obsessively?) teach us that money is a deep spiritual issue of primary importance? In this first five-part course we will look at what our bible and our faith traditions say about money and then move into understanding a congregation’s unspoken and unhealthy “money culture.” We’ll explore how to shift that culture through awareness, education and best practices.
Spring Term A (February 24- March 23, 2020)
FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe & Pastor Richard Jorgensen
COST: $75.00
DATES: Mondays at 7:00 PM
This five-week course uses Mark’s gospel to explore the critical questions of “who?” and “why?” (more than “how?” and “what?”) to better understand what it looks like to join Jesus in the Jesus Movement. Through deepened spiritual practices, students will begin to cultivate beginning skills for everyday evangelism and invitation. This course is pass/fail.
FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe & Pastor Richard Jorgensen
COST: $150.00
DATES: Mondays at 6:00 PM
This ten-week course helps students develop an understanding that the heart of the church’s ministry and mission is rooted in the apostolic witness to the gospel. Grounded in the New Testament Book of Acts, we better understand how Scripture informs the shape and direction for our ministries. Students explore how the marks of the church as represented in the Book of Acts are embodied in the lives of their local context. This course is pass/fail.
FACULTY: Mark A. Scheneman
COST: $75.00 per person or $150.00 for a parish of two or more people. No cost if using Diocese of Central PA Shaped by Faith voucher.
DATES: Thursdays at 7:00 PM
This five-week course follows Episcopal Church Management 1 and addresses church administration leadership, human resource management, as well as organizing and supporting pastoral ministry teams. Using case studies, participants engage what they’ve learned by developing action plans.
FACULTY: Rev. Canon Chris Streeter & Rev. Canon Dan Morrow
COST: Free for Diocese of Central PA
DATES: 10-week course, Thursdays at 6:00 PM
This ten-week course is part of the Diocesan-wide Shaped by Faith initiative and is designed to help church leadership respond to the challenge of ministry.
FACULTY: The Rev. Canon David Lovelace
COST: $75.00
DATES: Wednesdays at 8:00 PM
This five-week course is a practical learning opportunity addressing the fulfilling work and common challenges of building your vestry leadership team. Through this Shaped by Faith opportunity, better understand the roles and duties of collaborative vestry leadership while learning best practices for integrating spiritual and community development through these in-person gatherings, online webinars and discussion forum resources. This course is especially relevant for new vestry members.
Spring Term B (March 23- May 2, 2020)
FACULTY: Deacon Marsha Roscoe & Pastor Richard Jorgensen
COST: $75.00
DATES: Mondays at 7:00 PM beginning March 30
This five-week course helps students develop skills for focused listening and explores how to assess needs and possibilities for mission. Students will be equipped to map their immediate mission field and to identify individuals and organizations with whom they might be in relationship. Students reclaim the classic understanding of a parish being intimately connected with the community. This course is pass/fail.
FACULTY: Rev. Canon Mark Scheneman & Rev. Canon Stephen Casey
COST: $75.00
DATES: Thursdays at 7:00 PM beginning March 26
Through examining case studies, students will learn about strategic planning, dealing with conflict, managing change, exercising humble authority, and healthy self-care.
FACULTY: Dr. Deirdre Good
COST: $75.00
DATES: Tuesdays at 6:00 PM beginning March 24
An exploration of the Gospel of Matthew, this five-week learning opportunity is designed for discovering mission exploration, deepening the spiritual life of your community, and for those who preach and teach.
Current SSFM students can register online here. If you are new to our school, register here.
If you would like more information about these courses, please contact:
The Very Rev. Robyn Szoke-Coolidge, Dean
Phone: (717) 315-8088
Email: rszoke@diocesecpa.org
